By Jun Cinco

Published: August 11, 2012

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno thanked Saranggani representative and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao for giving a substantial donation to its relief drive without fanfare and called on personalities to do the same.

Pacquiao sent his staff yesterday to the KMU national office in Project 3, Quezon City to bring a significant amount of rice, canned goods and instant noodles. The boxing champ also gave a significant cash donation to the labor center.

“We thank Manny Pacquaio for his substantial donation to our relief drive. We assure him that his donation will reach the poor communities worst hit by the flooding caused by torrential rains last week,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“Cong. Manny is setting an example to other celebrities. We ask celebrities, as well as various organizations, to do a Manny Pacquiao and give donations to the many ongoing relief drives,” he added.

“People want to see Manny helping out in the aftermath of the disaster. But he chose to donate without much fanfare, which is really commendable amidst the cheap electioneering of other politicians,” he said.

KMU has been gathering donations for its relief operations since Aug. 7 and has delivered relief goods to Gulod and Bagong Silangan in Quezon City and areas in Marikina City.

It has scheduled relief drives to Tondo on Aug. 12, Marikina on Aug. 15, Quezon City on Aug. 19 and Olongapo City on Aug. 19.

“We thank the many people who have donated to our relief drive, even as we appeal for more donations from personalities, organizations and the general public,” Labog said.

“More rains and typhoons are coming our way and we plan to carry on with our relief drive and relief operations. While many people are affected by the floods, those who are hard-hit need all the help that we can give,” he added.

KMU is a member of Task Force Obrero, a multi-organizational initiative aimed at gathering donations for relief efforts and sending these to the communities of workers and the poor.

TFO’s members include Anakpawis Partylist, Pagkakaisa ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston), institutions Balai Obrero, Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education (Eiler) and Research, Center for Trade-Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), and Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (Iohsad).